David Gorman says his son Richard "Ricky" Gorman was "all wool and a yard wide." It's an old cowboy saying -- possibly even older than that -- meant to describe a truly genuine and sincere person. Relatives described him as a marvelous human being whose loss has left them devastated.

Richard Gorman, 45, was killed Wednesday morning when his sport utility vehicle hit a tree just a block from his father's Terrytown home. He was on his way to drop off two of his four dogs at his parent's house before he went to work with his brother, James "Jimmy" Gorman, 43, crafting residential ironwork and art.

"I heard his horn and saw one of his dogs," David Gorman, 73, said Wednesday afternoon. "My neighbor said, 'Your son has hit a tree.' I took one look and I knew."

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators determined that Richard Gorman lost control of his SUV after sideswiping a car that was headed in the opposite direction in the 800 block of Legion Drive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

Richard Gorman, 45, was killed in a Terrytown crash on Wednesday morning.

Relatives and friends dropped by David Gorman's home throughout the day to share their tears and memories of his son. "I have nothing but good memories, even the times when I was angry with him," David Gorman said.

Richard Gorman was born in Fargo, N.D., where his father was stationed while in the U.S. Air Force. The family moved to the New Orleans area in 1972 when David Gorman began working for the local office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Richard Gorman graduated from River Oaks Academy in Belle Chasse in 1985. He went to work as a deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office for 12 years, his father said. Richard Gorman was divorced, but is survived by two sons, Tristan Brugge and Christopher Dillon Gorman, ages 21 and 16, David Gorman said. The boys live in Tangipahoa Parish with their mother.

Richard Gorman eventually returned to the New Orleans area and began working with his brother, James Gorman, an artist who specializes in ironwork.

"He was a great carpenter," said Angela Gorman, Richard Gorman's sister-in-law. David Gorman smiled and added, "If he built it, it was here to stay."

Richard Gorman was his mother, Sandra's, best friend, family members said. He would do absolutely anything for her. And when she asked, he didn't stop until the task had been completed. David Gorman called him a Jack of all trades who had managed to master quite a few of them.

David Gorman said his son was shy, but the few people he counted as his friends were true blue. "Ricky's had a really, really good life," his father said. "He just was an all around great son, good friend and a hard worker."

Richard Gorman also notched pack leader onto his resume. He formed a family with his four dogs: Lexie, Taz, Star, and Boots. "He loved those dogs with all of his heart," David Gorman said.

As relatives recalled memories of Richard Gorman, Lexie sat cross-pawed in a dining room chair. The 4-year-old German Shepard looked melancholy as she occasionally glanced towards the window. David Gorman explained, "That's the chair she always sits in to wait for Ricky to get home."